Minnesota Twins: Mike Pelfrey's progress pleases his agent

Minnesota Twins pitcher Mike Pelfrey throws to first during a July 6, 2013, game against the Toronto Blue Jays. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn)

NEW YORK -- With Mike Pelfrey slated to start Friday's second-half opener, baseball agent Scott Boras suggested everything is right on course for the Twins right-hander and his surgically repaired throwing elbow.

"This is a classic Tommy John year where it's almost divided up into thirds," Boras said of his client. "These last four or five starts we've started to see the emergence where he's extending and feels comfortable."

Pelfrey went 4-7 with a 5.55 earned-run average in 16 first-half starts. However, over his past six starts, dating to May 31 against Seattle, Pelfrey is 1-2 with a 3.93 ERA.

In his past 36 2/3 innings, Pelfrey has allowed 39 hits and nine walks while striking out 21. If that improvement continues, Pelfrey could draw solid interest on the trade market.

"He's throwing up quality starts," Boras said, "so we're encouraged."

Working on a one-year, $4 million contract, Pelfrey could earn up to $1.5 million in additional performance bonuses tied to innings.

He would make another $100,000 for throwing 150 innings, plus $150,000 upon reaching 160 innings. That escalates to $250,000 each for hitting the plateaus of 170, 180 and 190 innings, peaking at an additional $500,000 at 200 innings for the self-proclaimed "horse."

However, Pelfrey is on pace for just 145 innings after averaging less than 5 1/3 innings per start in the first half and missing three weeks with back spasms.